The Captains – GW17

There’s no doubt about it, this week will be the hardest captaincy call for the season. Without a clear go to captain, who will we be selecting? Here’s how I rate the options…

The Contenders:

I’m really not sure what has come over me, but I’m not feeling good Chelsea vibes this week. Stoke away is always a tough trip, however their defence has been nothing special once again this season. My concern comes from the big names struggling away from Stamford bridge. As Baysie pointed out earlier in the week, Hazard’s struggles away from home are astounding. He has accumulated a measly 26 points in 8 away fixtures and is yet to find the back of the net. Compare that to a whopping 69 points in just 8 games at home, including 6 goals. Home sick much? This is enough to rule him out this week.

Costa’s struggles are also concerning. He has scored just once away from home since that brace at Everton, compared to a further 7 at Stamford Bridge. He is also yet to break double figures since that hat-trick all the way back in Gameweek 4! Once again the figures don’t appeal at all. Fabregas is coming back from suspension, but I still don’t rate him a captaincy option.

West ham are in hot form and continue to get points on the board, so it’s promising that they meet a struggling Leicester at the Boleyn Ground this weekend. I don’t want to get carried away though, they don’t tend to put too many past their opposition. Downing, Sakho and Carroll can all be considered for those who are keen for a punt, but I’m not sure the risk matches the rewards. Carroll is the only one of the trio I would consider, and even then it’s not a risk I’d be taking.

Lastly, I’m sure a few will be tossing up Austin on return from suspension. We can’t underestimate West Brom’s defence, this will be a tight game. However I agree that Austin is a fantastic chance to get on the scoresheet, and he has already proven this season that he can carry the armband. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. If you’re struggling for a standout option, you could do a lot worse than Charlie. I will never captain a budget player, but you might!

Top 3:

1. RVP/Rooney – Once again the duo lead the captaincy picks, they didn’t let me down last week! Aston Villa will be no pushovers, considering they haven’t conceded more than 1 goal since the end of October. However if you’re picking these blokes, surely you have to back them in against a bottom half team. Whilst they’re hardly sure things, you should have enough confidence to give them the armband and be confident in gaining a lead on the rest of the pack. If not, why do you own them?

2. Sanchez – For those of us without any United coverage and hold a similar lack of belief in the Blues away form, welcome to the club! This will be my first real punt of the season, but I’m confident Arsenal can get the job done against Lovren, I mean Liverpool. Sanchez has either scored or assisted in 7 out of his last 9 fixtures, you can’t get much safer than that. He’s at the heart of most Gunner attacks, and with 1 goal in 5 games he will be keen to get back on the scoresheet. Realistically he should be a safe bet! Locked in as my skipper.

3. Toure – I own him, yet I still don’t trust him. Must be something about the fact that he plays in defensive midfield!!! It still doesn’t make sense to me, yet make sense it must. Yaya is on penalties, loves to burst forward, and his team need him now more than ever. Crystal Palace at home should be a walkover for City. Should. If you’re confident they can get the job done without a recognised striker, Toure could be the captain for you. We know he can go massive when in form, and he may just be re-finding his feet. I can sense a big one this week.

The Punt:

Eriksen – Yes, I have a Spurs player in the best picks this week. I am a sinner, nevertheless we push on. The last 2 times that Eriksen has scored, he has gone on to back it up the next week with another. This week Spurs host Burnley at home. I’m sure I don’t need to say much more, he is at the heart of every Tottenham attack and if they manage not to choke this one at home, he should be a safe bet. Did I mention the words choke at home? That is exactly what makes him a punt. Spurs have scored 2 at home just once since August, winning one of those fixtures. You can bet Eriksen will be there to save their bacon in the last 5 minutes though, a worthy punt in my eyes.